YMCA of Austin Development Newsletter

SHARING

OUR IMPACT YMCA OF AUSTIN

SPRING 2012

Sharing our success in the community and impact on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility

OUR MISSION

CAMPAIGN FOR THE FUTURE

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

OUR PROMISE

At the YMCA of Austin, we promise that 100% of your contributions go directly toward helping our community where the need is greatest.

MEET YOUR DEVELOPMENT TEAM Jim Pacey Vice President of Development

Megan Arnold Asst. to the Vice President of Development Katy Witmer Development Communications Coordinator

@AustinYMCA YMCA of Austin

James Finck President & CEO

A

t the recent grand opening celebration of the Sustainable Food Center Farmers’ Market East, held at our East Communities Branch, I couldn’t help but reflect upon the “good ol’ days” when neighbors helping neighbors seemed a common practice. If one farmer had an overabundance of their season’s crop, they would gladly share their surplus with another neighbor…who would likely share some of their abundance in return.

Throughout the years, the YMCA of Austin has planted many seeds (literally and figuratively) and found countless ways to share our surplus with our neighbors. Within the past few months, the Hays Communities and East Communities YMCAs have begun community gardens, both through donations from folks just like you. They are now reaping the benefits by providing fresh fruits and vegetables to their neighbors in need. A generous donor in Bastrop has recently made it possible for us to open a new YMCA facility on Main Street, enabling the Y to provide expanded services and programming there.

The growth and impact have been immediate, and it’s only just the beginning. Amid the spring season, you can’t help but recognize growth all around us. What a great time to be in Austin! As our impact continues to grow, we’re so thankful that you’ve chosen to partner with us.

POY CAMPAIGN TOPS $1 MILLION MARK We would like to give all the donors and supporters of the 2012 Partner of Youth Fundraising Campaign a big “Thank You!” Because of you, we were able to exceed our $1 million goal, raising a total of $1,009,764 in eight short weeks. With your help, more than 40,000 individuals and families will benefit from financial assistance and be able to take part in Y programs and services.

Building strong kids, strong families and strong communities is easier when thousands of Y members and supporters donate to the Y. We had 1,009 gifts FROM first-time donors.

Contributions were also made online, through our new personalized campaigner pages, raising a total of $86,681. We also received 261 major donations ($1k and up), and through our new Banner Program, we are going to express our appreciation by displaying their names at our YMCA branches.

All the hard work has paid off with each dollar donated. Our members, volunteers and staff appreciate everyone engaged in supporting our Partner of Youth campaign. We look forward to continue building a strong community, delivering fun and healthy living!

Recently you may have received an email from the Y notifying you about the start of our newly launched “Summer Giving Series.” This series offers you an opportunity to share stories about your connection to the Y throughout your lifetime. The four-part series will focus on areas where the Y has a large impact throughout the summer months: summer camp, swim lessons, youth sports, and afterschool care. We hope that you’ll consider sharing your story today! Post on our blog at YMCASummer.Tumblr.com/ Submit. Additionally, we will be hoping to increase awareness of the incredible impact these programs have on our community by offering the opportunity to support a child in one of these programs. Be on the lookout for great stories of impact and growth! Email megan.arnold@ austinymca.org to update your contact information or for more details on how you can get involved today!

GIVING BACK

MAKING AN IMPACT

ANDREA RAY SMITH: GRANT GURU Andrea Ray Smith has worked for the Y for forty years, and the past twenty-two have been spent in Austin. She started out in the Basket Room in Cincinnati (think coat room for the pool), and moved right up the ranks to Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, Swim Coach, Pool Manager, Aquatics Director, Director of Special Projects, Executive Director, and now Grants Director. We interviewed her recently to find out what it’s like to be a Grant Guru for the YMCA of Austin.

summer. I can see counselors grow up to be Program Directors; I’ve had maybe 12 people that started as part-time that went on to be Program Directors, and two that went on to be Executive Directors.

YMCA: What does it take to be an expert grant writer at the Y? Andrea: Well, a writer is a writer, but I think to do it well you need to know the programs and the people. I think you have to understand what the Y is about, its Mission. Grant writing is trying to put the heart of the organization on paper.

Y: Why do you like working for the Y? A: It’s an organization that stands for something, and you don’t always find that.

Y: What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

A: Patience. You can spend a lot of time sending out grants and the win rate isn’t alway great. That, and it’s tedious.

Y: What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

A: Seeing a program that can either continue or start. The ‘Ace It’ program is a good example. We partnered with Sylvan Learning of Austin, and work with school

Y: Do you enjoy writing outside of grants?

A: Yes. I don’t write a diary or a blog, but I write the greatest Christmas letter ever. I have people that say “Oh, I’m waiting on your letter.” It’s a lot of pressure every year.

ANDREA RAY SMITH administrators and teachers who identify academically at-risk students to provide tutoring in math and reading to YMCA afterschool programs in Southeast Austin. It was a program just sitting there waiting to happen and, until we got some money, we couldn’t get it started. Now that it’s going and you see the results, and the results are positive, it’s gratifying to see that program off the ground and running.

I’ve also been able to take photographs for the association, and that really links it all together for me, because I can be in the water taking pictures of kids, and I can see them grow from summer to

Y: What keeps you going?

A: I want to swim every morning.

I’m not a huge “let’s go to lunch” person, but I look forward to swimming because of the people - people that I’ve known for 20 years.

Y: If grant writing were a food, what would it be?

A: That is a good question. It could be something like a three layer cake - it’s a lot of work but it’s worth it. Or it could be a really gnarly piece of liver. But it’s almost like a great big gigantic salad where you have to start at one end and just keep barrelling your way through.

Through Andrea’s efforts, the YMCA of Austin is able to fund many of the diverse programs that benefit our community. Here are a few of the grants we’ve received and the programs they support: $250,000 from St. David’s Foundation - MEND $50,000 from RGK Foundation - MEND $13,000 from Austin American Statesman - Swim Safe $10,000 from Texas Pioneer Foundation - Youth & Government $10,000 from BBVA Compass - Ace It! Tutoring $5,700 from Michael and Susan Dell Foundation - MEND

STAYING CONNECTED

YMCA of Austin 1402 E. Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78702

Dear Friend, At the Y, one of the things we stand for is Social Responsibility. To help make a larger impact in this area, we are now offering new options when it comes to “Going Green.�

Very shortly you will receive a postcard in the mail containing your contact information with a perforated tear-off card. You will have the option to select your preference for the best way for us to stay in touch with you and make any other necessary changes to your contact info.

YMCA Supporter 1234 Main St. Everytown, TX 67890

Just another way for us to customize your experience as a donor to the Y, and to help us save a tree or two along the way!

All the best,

The Y is in Your Community: Corporate Office 1402 E. Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78702 512-322-9622

Hays Communities 465 Buda Sportsplex Dr. Buda, TX 78610 512-523-0099

Program Services 2121 E. 6th Street, Ste. 203 Austin, TX 78702 512-236-9622

Springs Family 27216 Ranch Road 12 South Dripping Springs, TX 78620 512-894-3309

TownLake 1100 West Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78703 512-542-9622

East Communities 5315 Ed Bluestein Blvd.

Austin, TX 78723 512-933-9622

Southwest Family 6219 Oakclaire Dr. Austin, TX 78703 512-891-9622

North Park Family 9616 North Lamar Blvd., Ste. 130 Austin, TX 78753 512-973-9622

Northwest Family 5807 McNeil Drive Austin, TX 78729 512-335-9622

Bastrop Program Office 1112 Main St. Bastrop, TX 78602 512-321-9622

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YMCA Branch Locations Afterschool Program Site YMCA Learning Center